Looseleaf

I. Paperback

Mello entered their shared apartment, swinging the plastic bag onto their couch.

"Matt! I'm home!" He shouted.

When there was no reply, he added, "And I have that manga you've been wanting!"

Matt came bounding out like an excited puppy. Mello gestured to their couch and Matt nearly jumped on it.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The redhead squealed, clutching the manga close to his chest. He peered inside the bag, and frowned. "Aw, great."

Mello poked his head out from the kitchen. "What? Did I get the wrong one?"

"No." Matt sighed. His head flopped back down on the soft cushion of their beat-up couch. "It's just, that, this is the paperback version."

"I don't think they even have hardcover," Mello said, not having the decency to at least come out of the kitchen while speaking.

"Yeah, they do!" Matt protested. "At least, for this manga anyway."

"What's wrong with the paperback version?" Now Mello came out, hands on his hips, like he did when he was all riled up for an argument.

"Well, we get into fights at least ten times a week. And you always are throwing my things around. I doubt this poor book will last," Matt told him.

Mello smiled maliciously, grabbing Matt's precious manga. "Wanna bet?"